The MI-TECH Has Entered the Building

October 29th, 2019 by

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The 2019 Tokyo Motor Show has started (October 24-November 4), and Mitsubishi Motors was quick to show off their newest SUV concept, the Mitsubishi MI-TECH. Not only is this new SUV concept another plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) design by Mitsubishi but it’s another revolution on how plug-in hybrid vehicles operate. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Motors debuted their Engelberg Tourer Plug-in SUV at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show , and with this new MI-TECH concept, it’s clear the automaker is focused on designing numerous alternative fuel vehicles for a number of lifestyles. Take a look at all MI-TECH has to offer.

The Name

What’s in a name? Well, there’s a lot going on in the name for the newest SUV concept from Mitsubishi Motors. In a sense, it’s an acronym:

– Mitsubishi

– Intelligent

– Technology

When the MI-TECH was first conceived, it was meant to be a small plug-in hybrid SUV. What developed was a PHEV designed with a lightweight, compact, new PHEV drivetrain and a four-motor electric 4WD system. Introducing futuristic technology, Mitsubishi equipped the concept with advanced driver assist and preventive safety technologies, introducing MI-Pillot.

New PHEV drivetrain

When Mitsubishi Motors released the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV , the plug-in hybrid SUV has a different approach to a PHEV powertrain. Instead of one gasoline internal combustion engine and one electric motor powered by a large battery, Mitsubishi put two electric motors on the Outlander PHEV, one on each axle. For the MI-TECH concept, the automaker changed it up again. Mitsubishi replaced the traditional gasoline engine with a lightweight, compact gas turbine engine-generator. Not only is it powerful enough to drive a small SUV, but it can operate on a variety of fuel sources: diesel, kerosene, and alcohol. Regardless of the fuel, MI-TEC has clean exhaust to better the environment.

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Electric 4WD

In addition to replacing the gasoline engine with a turbine engine-generator, Mitsubishi also put an electric motor behind each wheel – that’s four electric motors powering the MI-TECH. There aren’t any specs yet released on the horsepower or torque output of this setup, but Mitsubishi did find a way to double-down on this kind of control. By applying their Super All-Wheel Control traction system to the Quad Motor 4WD System with front and rear Dual-Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) units, Mitsubishi made this small SUV as stable as can be. In addition to making the MI-TECH concept safe, Mitsubishi also introduced a new trick – 180-degree spins by counter-rotating the left and right tires. That’ll be some U-turn!

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Enhanced Driver Assistance and Safety

The new thing slowly entering the auto industry is artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Known as a Human Machine Interface (HMI), the MI-TECH concept comes with technology that projects all the information a driver may need to know about the car behavior, terrain recognition, and optimal route guidance onto the windshield. Instead of a heads-up display, this is what is known as an augmented reality (AR) windshield and is another piece of tech entering the auto industry. While driving, even in poor visibility, drivers will be able to safely navigate the roads with an AR windshield. Furthermore, with MI-PILOT equipped, MI-TECh comes with next-generation driver assistance technology to help support the driver in a variety of driving conditions and roads.

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It’s a Buggy

No one could probably predict the next small SUV from Mitsubishi would look like a buggy, but that’s what the MI-TECH is. A small SUV with no roof or doors but an interesting design, nonetheless. Mitsubishi is highlighting the progressiveness of their electric vehicle by painting it in a light blue body color contrasted by copper on the grille, inner wheels, and interior. The front fascia has been upgraded with a Dynamic Shield design and T-shaped headlights. Raised overfenders and large diameter tires offer a high level of mobility and sharp lines run throughout the rugged body of the SUV. T-shaped tail lamps can also be found in the rear, mimicking the front fascia.

Inside, thanks to the AR windshield, the center console is pretty tame. Like a buggy, the dashboard is flat and horizontal, and keyboard-shaped switches are positioned atop with a hand pad that makes the switches easy to operate. All-in-all this looks like one sick SUV.

Check out all there is to know about the new MI-TECH from Mitsubishi Motors and share your thoughts on Miami Lakes Mitsubishi social media .

Photo Source/Copyright: Mitsubishi Motors

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